No. 2 Bears Fall To No. 3 USC, 13-7

LOS ANGELES – The No. 2 Cal women's water polo team's best start in 13 years came to an end Saturday with a 13-7 loss at No. 3 USC in the MPSF opener for both teams.

The Bears (11-1, 0-1 MPSF) had won their first 11 games this season, the program's best start since beginning the 2009 season at 14-0. But the Trojans scored the first five goals of the second half to take control.

All-American center Kitty Lynn Joustra had two goals and an assist for Cal, which has played a top-15 opponent in every game this season. Junior goalie Isabel Williams made four steals.

The teams traded goals throughout the first period, with Mallory Reynoso, Shea Salvino and Cecily Turner scoring for the Bears. But USC then reeled off four goals in a row before Cal was able to cut the deficit to 8-5 at halftime.

The Bears didn't score again until senior All-American Emma Wright got on the board with 6:59 left in the game. By that time, the Trojans had established a 13-5 lead.

Cal returns to action next weekend at the prestigious Barbara Kalbus Invitational, hosted by UC Irvine. Fifteen of the 16 teams in the field are ranked in this week's CWPA top-25, including nine of the top-10. The Bears open play Friday against No. 21 San Diego State.